Stabbing Death Arrest

Capitol murder and armed robbery are the charges the accused now faces. James Santonio McGrew is the same man who was taken into custody for questioning less than an hour after the victim was found. Just after midnight on Thursday, September 23rd, 26-year-old Demetrius Smoot of DeKalb was discovered lying dead in a street, less than a mile from his house. He had been stabbed multiple times.

According to the newly released autopsy report, the victim had been stabbed more than 50 times in the head, neck and torso. The apparent motive was robbery.

'The key to this investigation was the ability for the sheriff's department, the sheriff and myself to work together and that's the reason for the success," says DeKalb Police Chief Stephen Jackson.

"These things are always difficult because there is always so much information you have to run down, to sort out what the truth really is," says Kemper County Sheriff James Moore.

Stolen in the robbery was a large sum of money. Investigators say it has since been recovered.

"Based off witness testimony and his confession, he acted alone," says Chief Jackson.

In connection with the murder McGrew is also charged with armed robbery. His case is expected to go before a Kemper County grand jury next month. Ultimately, for the charge of capitol murder he could face the death penalty. In an initial appearance before a judge Monday bond for McGrew was denied.

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